Liberality, or generosity, is a virtue that is highly esteemed in the Christian faith, reflecting the character of God who is abundantly generous to all His creation. The Bible provides numerous exhortations and examples that encourage believers to exercise liberality, particularly toward strangers. This practice is rooted in the understanding that all people are created in the image of God and are deserving of kindness and compassion.

Biblical Mandate for Liberality Toward Strangers

The call to show liberality toward strangers is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to remember their own history as strangers in Egypt and to extend kindness to foreigners. Leviticus 19:34 states, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

This command is reiterated in Deuteronomy 10:19 , where it is written, "And you are to love the foreigner, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." These passages highlight the importance of empathy and the recognition of shared human experiences as a basis for generosity.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and generosity toward strangers. Hebrews 13:2 advises, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." This verse suggests that acts of kindness toward strangers can have profound spiritual significance and may even be a means of encountering the divine.

Jesus Himself exemplified and taught liberality toward strangers. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that true neighborly love transcends ethnic and social boundaries, urging His followers to show mercy and compassion to all, regardless of their background.

Practical Expressions of Liberality

The early Christian community modeled this liberality in their communal life. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This spirit of generosity was not limited to fellow believers but extended to all who were in need, including strangers.

The apostle Paul also encouraged the early church to practice generosity. In Romans 12:13 , he writes, "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality." This exhortation underscores the importance of being open-handed and welcoming to those outside one's immediate community.

Theological Basis for Liberality

The theological foundation for liberality toward strangers is rooted in the character of God, who is described as generous and loving to all. Psalm 145:9 declares, "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made." As followers of Christ, believers are called to imitate God's generosity, reflecting His love and grace to the world.

Furthermore, the practice of liberality is an expression of the Gospel, which breaks down barriers and unites people from diverse backgrounds into one family in Christ. Galatians 3:28 affirms, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This unity in Christ calls for a radical openness and generosity toward all people, including strangers.

In summary, the biblical call to exercise liberality toward strangers is a profound expression of the Christian faith, rooted in the character of God and the teachings of Scripture. It challenges believers to extend love, compassion, and generosity beyond familiar boundaries, reflecting the inclusive and transformative power of the Gospel.Leviticus 25:35
And if your brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with you; then you shall relieve him: yes, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... rather than embrace the divine liberality voluntarily offered ... mutilated, or interrupted
and wandering, should meet with a ... all who are truly exercised in prayer ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... and exclusiveness, do really excel, in liberality and patient ... and of the same household
should be strangers. ... what authority their ministry was to be exercised. ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... saved," "not of works, lest any man should boast," (Eph ... let us not boast of voluntary
liberality in matters ... had otherwise chosen, he might have exercised (1:Cor ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... for this very reason, because he would have mercy exercised. ... 5 We are to extend our
liberality by virtue of ... be very angry with them that should question their ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... of this point, which cannot be exercised without due ... daily bestowed on us, in divine
liberality, through the ... he not merely intended that they should loose the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... See for Constantine's policy toward heresy, Eusebius, Vita ... palace or other public
buildings should be struck ... whereby the Primas of Numidia exercised a leading ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Latitudinarian Churchmanship.
... he set a noble example of liberality in the ... had, almost without exception, a slight
bias toward Puritan opinions ... that all ground for these scruples should be as ...
/.../chapter v latitudinarian churchmanship.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... Liberality to the poor saints, to the poor world; a ... the hive, that eats up the honey
that should feed the ... more time and patience might be exercised towards the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... to be taught and well weighed, what great love of the Father toward us in ... that he
gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... one thing throughout the entire world"that Heliogabalus should everywhere be ... dynasty
of Severus were connected and their attitude toward religion determined. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

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